MWL Validation Engineer

Engineering

When you join Caterpillar, you're joining a global team who cares not just about the work we do - but also about each other. We are the makers, problem solvers, and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We don't just talk about progress and innovation here - we make it happen, with our customers, where we work and live.

Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it.

If so, we invite you to join the Peoria Proving Ground (PPG) team at Caterpillar as an R&D Engineering Specialist
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In this highly visible role, you will play a key part in advancing Caterpillar's commitment to quality by driving validation activities earlier in the product development lifecycle. You will work at the intersection of product development, systems engineering, and machine validation, helping to shape validation strategies during the concept and design phases of new product programs.

As a validation leader for Medium Wheel Loader programs, you will collaborate with global engineering teams to define validation requirements, develop comprehensive test plans, assess technical and program risks, and ensure machines are prepared for successful validation at proving grounds and customer sites around the world. Your work will directly influence product readiness, reduce development risk, and help deliver reliable, high-quality solutions to Caterpillar customers.

This position offers a unique opportunity to influence product quality and development strategy on some of Caterpillar's most important machine programs. You will work with talented engineers around the globe, help shape the future of machine validation, and play a critical role in delivering innovative solutions that help solve our customers’ toughest challenges.

• Build and maintain strong partnerships across product groups, proving grounds, and process teams.
• Lead cross-functional test and development efforts in partnership with design, systems, and safety teams.
• Develop validation strategies and activity plans aligned with product and subsystem development objectives.
• Collaborate with global machine development and systems teams to define validation requirements and success criteria.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate technical and program risks throughout the development cycle.
• Estimate and manage validation program costs, resources, and schedules.
• Champion validation processes, tools, and best practices across product development teams.
• Leverage data and analytical tools to assess validation effectiveness and ensure critical failure modes are adequately addressed.
• Monitor and communicate new product introduction (NPI) program health to key stakeholders and leadership.
• Coordinate with global engineering teams across multiple time zones to support program execution.

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Electrical Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Experience in product, system, or component development and/or design experience.
• Project Management
• Proven ability to plan, organize, execute, and monitor complex technical programs.
• Experience managing multiple priorities while effectively utilizing resources to achieve project objectives.
• Product Testing
  • Strong understanding of product validation methodologies, testing strategies, and risk-based validation approaches.
  • Experience developing and executing comprehensive validation plans throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Effective Communications
  • Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to influence and align diverse stakeholders.
  • Proven success working across engineering disciplines, organizations, and global teams.
• Technical Excellence
  • Ability to quickly understand subsystem and component designs and translate technical requirements into robust validation plans.
  • Strong systems-thinking mindset with the ability to connect component-level performance to machine-level outcomes.
• Decision Making and Critical Thinking
  • Demonstrated ability to analyze complex technical challenges, assess risk, and make sound engineering decisions.
  • Data-driven approach to problem solving and continuous improvement.
• Willingness to participate in occasional meetings…